WHITMORE LAKE, Michigan – The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation unit is currently investigating the cause of an explosion that resulted in the devastation of a home in Whitmore Lake, claiming the lives of four family members. Northfield Twp. Fire Chief Chris Bishop revealed that two others are in critical but stable condition at the University of Michigan Hospital.
The tragic explosion occurred on Saturday afternoon at a home in the 8200 block of Winters Lane, a private dead-end road off Main Street, near Six Mile Road. First responders arrived to find “a structure that was no longer there,” according to Chief Bishop. The debris was spread over 2-4 acres, with bodies found within 100 feet of the house. Fortunately, no other homes were damaged by the explosion.
All six people who were in the house at the time of the explosion were members of one family, including a grandfather. The three injured victims were transported to the hospital for treatment of burns and blunt force trauma. One of the family members succumbed to injuries at the hospital, resulting in four fatalities.
Fire Chief Bishop mentioned that one of the working theories is an explosion from the propane gas serving the house. However, the specific cause of the blast is still undetermined at this time. A neighbor living nearby reported being knocked to the ground by the explosion and witnessing a huge wave coming across the lake, likely caused by the blast.
Multiple firefighting units from various departments were on the scene, and the private road remains closed to the public, accessible only to family members and their guests. While social media has identified the victims, officials are refraining from releasing their identities at this time, pending notification of extended family members.
The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation unit is currently probing the cause of the explosion that tragically claimed the lives of four family members in a Whitmore Lake home. Neighbors witnessed the devastating aftermath of the explosion, with the specific cause still undetermined at this time. The identities of the victims have not been released to the public.